The first week of school is behind us now-and we're in the midst of the second, getting used to routines, expectations and each other. The classroom is bustling with activity from the minute the children arrive, to when they leave, tired and hot at the end of the day.

Aside from building a strong classroom community during the first couple of weeks of school, teachers spend the bulk of their time trying to get to know their students-both personally and academically. We have so many questions: did our students regress over the summer or grow? Did they read? Do math? Play games? Travel?

We spend our days conferring with individual students and soliciting information through writing prompts, drawing activities, and assessments.

As parents, you are likely doing the same thing, right? Every parent comes with a pocketful of worries, questions and concerns.

I know this is true because my son just started preschool this past week, anda great deal of my time is consumed with wondering about small things-will they open his lunch containers for him? Will they heat up his food? Will they help him make friends?

But really, when I think about it, all these little concerns amount to one great big huge one: will my son's teachers see him as he really is? Will they get to know him, and help him to grow and learn without quashing his sweet earnestness?

While teachers do their absolute best to get to know every child, there is a lot that you can do to support both your child and her teacher during this transitional relationship building time.

If you have specific concerns about your child-send his teacher an email or note explaining them. Share any relevant recent events that have taken place in your child's life-the birth of a sibling, the transition to a new house, the death of a grandparent or family pet, any illness, or other trauma all affects how children learn.

I am often surprised to discover the answers to these kinds of questions only after I inquire. I'll notice a child is particularly moody, or seems stressed out beyond the normal first weeks of school stress, and when I ask I'll discover that he's had a very ill sibling, or that the family is going through a divorce and the picture will suddenly become oh-so-clear, and it will be much easier for me to approach the child and support his learning.

Similarly, share positive feedback and information with your child's teacher-if you went on a trip or your child accomplished a major milestone (riding a two-wheel bike for the first time, loosing teeth, riding a roller coaster solo, etc.) Just send a quick email or note. Your child's teacher will love hearing about these events, and will likely incorporate this knew knowledge of your child into the way she works with him. I know I do. I relish hearing about where and what my students have been up to all summer.

By the second week of school I already know which child got stitches, lost a tooth, traveled to a foreign country, and rode the rollercoaster at the fair. I also know which child is having a hard time going to sleep at night, and which one is expecting a new baby brother soon. I wouldn't know half of these things if I didn't ask, though, and I'm sure there are heaps of things I have yet to learn. I'm just waiting for parents (and the kids) to tell me.